The dos and don’ts of selling age-restricted goods are outlined in a course being offered to local businesses by Croydon’s trading standards department, free of charge.
The “Fair Trading Award do you Pass?” accredited training course informs traders on what the law expects of them and their staff, explains what checks can be used to ensure a customer is old enough to make certain purchases, and offers advice on the best ways to refuse a sale.
Age-restricted products include tobacco, alcohol and knives, and their sale to under-18s can lead to prosecution and heavy financial penalties.
The course encourages discussion between delegates on the issues they face when selling such products, and ends with a short test. Successful candidates are presented with the Fair Trading Award certificate.
This year’s courses will include information on regulations to be introduced in April that will require small traders to fall in line with large retailers regarding the display of tobacco products.
Croydon’s trading standards department will be hosting six courses across three days, each with 15 spaces.
• Friday 10 April – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.
• Thursday 16 July – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.
• Friday 23 October – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.
Unique to Croydon, the sessions – to be held at the council’s Bernard Weatherill House headquarters – will also feature a short presentation from Public Health Croydon entitled “Protecting children and young people – everyone’s business”.
“The council’s trading standards department has an admirable record as regards engaging with the borough’s traders.
“Indeed, 300 have so far attended the ‘do you Pass?’ courses, making Croydon one of the top three local authorities in the UK for delivering this training.
“For traders, it’s a win-win situation; they learn the law, how to deal with situations, get a certificate – and it’s free. I’d urge any who have yet to take the course, to sign up as soon as possible.”
Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice
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Booking enquiries can be made by calling 020 8407 1311. Please be aware spaces are limited.
